For many students, traveling on an Xperitas language program is the experience that launches their path to global citizenship. The summer after her senior year at Eden Prairie High School, Edda Perry received a surprise graduation gift from her parents—a two-week trip to Spain with Xperitas. Edda had completed the equivalent of six years of Spanish through her participation in College in the Schools at the University of Minnesota, and her teacher knew that Edda was ready for the challenge.
Edda’s first week in Spain was a whirlwind, traveling between the cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Granada, acclimating to the sights and sounds of her new surroundings. She appreciated the moments she was given to explore independently and put her language skills to the test, whether ordering at a restaurant, exploring markets or asking for directions from locals.
“I was so nervous for the family stay,” she recalled. “I couldn’t stop thinking about what they would be like.” She was given a warm welcome and was quickly included in her host family’s day-to-day activities, from cooking meals together to trips to the beach on the Mediterranean Sea. Though she often had a difficult time understanding her host father’s Valencian accent, she knew she just had to laugh at herself anytime something was lost in translation. The highlight of the family stay was her friendship with her host sister, Ines, who came to visit her one year later in Minnesota.
“After I got home from Spain, I knew I had caught the travel bug. I was ready for my next adventure.” Edda dove straight into her Spanish minor during her freshman year at the University of Minnesota. She spent her second semester studying in Venezuela, an experience she described as eye-opening. She learned more about the Venezuelan economic crisis and witnessed firsthand the long lines for basic necessities in short supply.
Edda is now in her sophomore year at the University of Minnesota and is majoring in Biology, Society and the Environment. She hopes to volunteer for the Peace Corps before pursuing her graduate studies to become a physician’s assistant. Edda says her experiences abroad opened her mind to new cultures and new ways of understanding the world. She believes that learning Spanish was an essential piece of these experiences and without her strong Spanish background she is not sure she would have had the confidence to immerse herself in Venezuelan culture. Her advice for high school students considering an Xperitas program is to prepare their language skills as much as possible! It will pay off during the family stay!
Let us assist in planning your next immersion experience and help make it accessible to all of your students! We have many destination options for Language Immersion programs worldwide. Necessary traveler protections for teachers and students are already integrated into our programs too! Contact us today!